As Stage 2 of Tauranga City's Cameron Rd transformation looms, a business owner located on the roadstretch for more than 25 years has major concerns about the work set to be done.

Dr Janice Priest believes reducing the length of road past Tauranga Hospital to a single lane is illogical and dangerous.

Tauranga City Council is in the planning phase of Stage 2 of the Cameron Rd project which will include developments between 17th Ave and Cheyne Rd, Pyes Pā, to make the area 'safer and more attractive, while providing more ways for people to move” – as stated on TCC's website.

Council's website also states that this plan could include 'one general traffic lane in one direction”.

This sets off alarm bells for Janice, who has been operating her health clinic opposite Tauranga Hospital for more than two decades.

'The congestion outside the hospital would be diabolical if you're in a hurry to get to the hospital because the congestion starts way back with all the works that they're doing,” says Janice.

She's seen the impacts of past single lanes in this area. 'Every week there were dented cars left outside my clinic, but since the double-lane and traffic lights were installed at 17th and 18th Ave/Cameron Rd, the traffic flow works well with no accidents.”

Ambulance access

Janice's main concern is ambulances getting in and out of the hospital, as well as people trying to get to the hospital too if this area is to go to a single lane.

'There will be a lot of frustrated, angry people trying to get to the hospital let alone trying to get past the hospital. The poor ambulance people.

'There's a lot of ambulances in and out now because we've got the helicopters centred here – their bases have grown.”

Tauranga City Council senior project manager Brent Goodhue says provision for emergency services access will be maintained at all times in this area.

'We are aware of the various emergency service providers along the corridor and the need to access the hospital and respond timely to emergencies.

'Part of this project includes looking to provide more ways for patient accessibility to the hospital and nearby medical facilities, including improving public transport access and facilities, and existing turning movements will be maintained through the intersection of 18th Ave and Cameron Rd.”

Done deal?

Council closed their feedback portal for the project on April 2 and Janice fears that this plan of a potential single traffic lane is already a done deal.

'When council puts a plan together – they've already done a consultancy…it's already set in place and all they want is comment from people in the area that they feel will be impacted – but this plan needs to be stopped.”

Brent says council is currently talking with the community about what they would like to see for the future of this section of Cameron Rd 'and no preferred option has been determined at this stage”. 'We will continue to update the community as the project progresses.”

Janice says the council needs to completely reconsider this phase of their plan because it is not conducive for the hospital zone area. '…all the medical centres need to be taken into consideration, the Māori land, and the people there, and not just do a blanch beautifying process just because they can”.

Brent says construction is set for mid-2024 after Stage 1 of Cameron Rd is complete.

'We will align delivery of Stage 2 where there are clear benefits to reduce overall disruption of works, cost savings, or need to deliver some works earlier than others.We are mindful of the disruption roadworks cause, however we also hear from the public that they just want us to get on with it.”

***The Weekend Sun has approached Te Whatu Ora - Health New Zealand – the new entity that has taken over the former District Healrth Boards – for comment on the council's proposal for stage 2 of Cameron Rd and will report back in a future issue.